BVR Subrahmanyam new NITI CEO, Param Iyer to join World Bank as ED

Subrahmanyam retired as the commerce secretary on September 30

The government on Monday appointed former Commerce Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog for two years. Subrahmanyam will take over from current CEO Parameswaran Iyer who will join World Bank as executive director in Washington DC. 

Subrahmanyam, a 1987 batch IAS of Chhattisgarh cadre, retired as commerce secretary in September 2022. During his year-long stint at the department of commerce, Subrahmanyam played a key role in strategising the road map to a record $422 billion merchandise exports, as the economy struggled to get out of the post-Covid slump last year.

He also steered at least half a dozen free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. During his tenure in the commerce department, India signed two trade deals — with the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. Considered an internal security expert, Subrahmanyam had held the post of chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir earlier.

Subrahmanyam's appointment as NITI Aayog CEO was announced by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Iyer, a 1981-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, was appointed CEO of NITI Aayog for three years in 2022. His stint lasted just about six months. Iyer had served as secretary in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation during 2016-20.

Earlier, Iyer had taken a voluntary retirement from the Indian Administrative Service in 2009 to join World Bank as the global lead for strategic initiatives in the water and sanitation sector. He returned to helm the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2016 as secretary, drinking water and sanitation. Iyer had resigned from that post after getting a year’s extension, citing personal reasons in July 2020. 

At the time of his appointment as NITI CEO last year, Iyer had said, “Honoured and humbled to have been given the incredible opportunity to serve the country again — this time as CEO, NITI Aayog. I am deeply grateful to Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi for another chance to work under his leadership towards a transformed India.”

Iyer could not be reached for comment after the announcement of a new NITI Aayog CEO on Monday.